LD6 Dems

A Review of Obama's First Year Accomplishments

Originally published in November 2009 over at TPM Cafe, here's a good summary of many (though certainly not all) of Obama's 2009 accomplishments.

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"Professor Watson writes

Hi friends,

I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert

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1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending

2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices

3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women

4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq

5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB

6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information

7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family

8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act

9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible

10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House

11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration

12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date

13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan

14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research

15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research

16. New federal funding for science and research labs

17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards

18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect

19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools

20. New funds for school construction

21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out

22. US Auto industry rescue plan

23. Housing rescue plan

24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying

26. US financial and banking rescue plan

27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed

28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards

29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010

31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols

32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic

33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions

34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office

35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job

36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast

37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales

39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government

40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children

41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program

42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones

43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions

44. Expanding vaccination programs

45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters

46. Closed offshore tax safe havens

47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals

48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back

49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices

50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources

51. Lower drug costs for seniors

52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings

53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel

54. Improved housing for military personnel

55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses

56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals

57. Increasing student loans

58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program

59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy

60. Established a new cyber security office

61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness

64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient

65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced

66. Improving benefits for veterans

67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration

68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud

69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco

70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules

71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports

72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons

73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive

74. Making more loans available to small businesses

75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare

76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000

79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel

80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans

83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production

84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters

85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket

86. Held first Seder in White House

87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured

88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform

89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform

90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform

Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!


Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University

Obama Administration Takes First Steps in Immigration Reform

From Richard Ward:

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In Obama Quietly Changes U.S. Immigration Policy, Edward Alden provides a quick update on the Obama administration's movement toward a humane immigration policy. The article notes one of the steps taken was to strip Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who has brought disgrace upon Arizona, on a national level, like no other, of federal authority to make immigration-related arrests.

Mr. Alden reports that Obama's administration "quietly announced last week that it would overturn one of the harsh immigration enforcement measures enacted by the Bush administration following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mr. Alden makes several other key points, summarized and/or paraphrased below:

• According to DHS, those who arrive in the United States fleeing torture or persecution abroad will no longer automatically be welcomed with handcuffs and months in a jail cell. Instead, many seeking protection will be permitted to live freely in the country while their applications for permanent asylum are considered by an immigration judge. 


• DHS has launched an overhaul of immigration detention system. This system had grown out of control, with the number of detainees doubling in just five years to more than 440,000 annually (a doubling in just five years). Many detainees were simply lost in the system, while others fell ill and died due to poor medical care.


• The administration has pledged to stop such abuses, and DHS already has moved families out of the notorious T. Don Hutto immigrant detention facility in Texas, "which had become a national disgrace after revelations that pregnant women and small children were being held there in prison-like conditions." 


• The administration has also largely halted workplace raids that had resulted in jailing, deportation and even criminal charges for many unauthorized workers, choosing to focus instead on in-depth audits of companies suspected of hiring those workers.


• DHS has curbed the authority of state and local police forces to demand immigration documents from anyone stopped for minor offenses like traffic violations. According to DHS, such checks should be done only for those jailed on criminal charges, particularly for serious criminal offenses.


• The workplace raids, which were intended to send a warning to companies that hired unauthorized workers, mostly just hurt the workers themselves. Now, instead focusing on expanded audits of the paper trail that companies must keep on their workforce. Arrests and deportations of workers are down, but hefty fines against the companies are up providing strong incentives for them to maintain a legal workforce.

As Mr. Alden notes, these recent intiatives are only first steps. However, they are critical steps in the process of repairing the damage caused by the last administration and moving our country forward. According to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, the administration has met done what Congress asked -- on everything from the U.S.-Mexico border fence to the E-Verify system for authorizing workers -- and now, the time has come to enact other elements of reform, including a legalization program for many unauthorized immigrants.

Yes, the time for full immigration reform is here.

~Richard Ward PhD, PC, LD-6-Moon Mountain

Path to a Balanced AZ Budget?

Guest Blogger, Richard Ward PhD (LD-6, PC-Moon Mountain) provides us with the following information.

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Herein lies Arizona’s balanced budget.  There are 26 tax exemptions.  Should the legislature and Governors office eliminate many of these and impose a very modest tax, it has been suggested that these taxes would raise many billions of dollars for the state

TAX EXEMPTIONS

1. Tangible personal property to be resold in the ordinary course of business.
2. Tangible personal property to be leased or rented in the ordinary course of business.
3. Tangible personal property to be incorporated into a taxable contracting project.
4. Food, drink, or condiments purchased by a restaurant business.
5. Motor vehicle fuel and use fuel subject to tax under ARS § 28-5606 or 5708.
6. Use fuel to a holder of a valid single trip use fuel tax permit issued under ARS § 28-5739.
7. Aviation fuel subject to the tax imposed under ARS § 28-8344.
8. Pipes or valves four inches in diameter or greater to be used for transportation of oil, natural gas, artificial gas, water or coal slurry.
9. Neat animals, horses, asses, sheep, ratites, swine or goats used as breeding or production stock (including ownership shares in such animals).
10. Aircraft, navigational and communication instruments and related accessories sold or leased to:
Airlines holding a federal certificate of public convenience and necessity; or Airlines holding a foreign air carrier permit for air transportation; or
Any foreign government or nonresidents of Arizona who will not use such property in Arizona other than in removing such property from this state.
11. Railroad rolling stock, rails, ties and signal control equipment used directly to transport persons or property for hire.
12. Buses or urban mass transit vehicles used directly to transport persons or property for hire or pursuant to a government mass transit program.
13. Central office switching equipment, switchboards, private branch exchange equipment, microwave radio equipment and carrier.
Equipment including optical fi ber, coaxial cable and other transmission media which are components of carrier systems sold or leased to
persons engaged in the telecommunications business.
14. New machinery and equipment, used for commercial production of agricultural, horticultural, viticulture and floricultural crops and
products in this state, consisting of tractors, tractor-drawn implements, self-powered implements, drip irrigation lines, and machinery
and equipment necessary for extracting milk and for cooling milk and livestock.
15. Machinery, equipment or transmission lines used directly in producing or transmitting electrical power, but not including distribution.
16. Groundwater measuring devices required under ARS § 45-604.
17. Machinery or equipment used directly in the following processes:
Manufacturing, processing or fabricating. Job printing. Refining or metallurgical operations.
Extraction of ores or minerals from the earth for commercial purposes. Extraction of, or drilling for, oil or gas from the earth for commercial purposes.
18. Printed, photographic, electronic media or digital media materials purchased by or for publicly funded libraries including school district
libraries, charter school libraries, community college libraries, state university libraries or federal, state, county or municipal libraries for
use by the public.
19. Other: Cite specific statutory authority for the exemption of the tangible personal property.

Exemptions based on the purchaser being a government entity, public school, or a qualifying health care institution.
20. Food, drink or condiments for consumptions within the premises of any prison, jail or other institution under the jurisdiction of the state department of
corrections, the department of public safety, the department of juvenile corrections or a county sheriff. Food, drink, condiments or accessories purchased
by a school district for consumption at a public school within the district during school hours.
21. Tangible personal property sold or leased directly to the United States Government or its departments or agencies by a manufacturer, modifier, assembler
or repairer.
22. Fifty percent of the gross proceeds or gross income from the sale of tangible personal property directly to the United States Government or its
departments or agencies, which is not deducted under number 21 above. This exemption does not apply to leases.
23. Tangible personal property sold or leased directly to a qualifying nonprofit hospital, health care organization, community health center, or rehabilitation
program for mentally or physically handicapped persons (an exemption letter for these entities must accompany this form).

Transactions with Native Americans & Native American Businesses
24. Sale or lease of tangible personal property including Motor Vehicles to affi iated Native Americans if the solicitation for the sale, signing of the contract,
delivery of the goods and payment for the goods all occur on the reservation.
24a. Sale of a Motor Vehicle to an enrolled member of a tribe who resides on the reservation established for that tribe.

Transactions with nonresidents
25. Sales of tangible personal property to nonresidents of Arizona who are temporarily within Arizona, for their use outside of Arizona, when the vendor ships
the property out of Arizona by common carrier or United States mail or delivers such property out of Arizona via the vendor’s own conveyance.
NOTE: The vendor shall retain adequate documentation substantiating the shipment of the property out of Arizona.
26. Sale of a motor vehicle (vehicle must be self-propelled) to a nonresident of Arizona whose state of residence does not allow a use tax exemption for transaction privilege taxes paid to Arizona and who has secured a special 30-day nonresident registration for the vehicle (please see Arizona Form 5010).

Richard Ward PhD
LD-6, PC-Moon Mountain

Can we learn anything from Ft. Hood tragedy? (Contributor Editorial)

Perhaps the Ft. Hood tragedy and the resulting focus on the military will help cause President Obama to rethink his plans to increase troop levels in Afghanistan.  Something has to change for our military men and women and their families!
 
There was a lot of media discussion yesterday about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related battle stresses with speculation on how they may have affected the suspected shooter. (It has been reported that, as an Army psychiatrist, Major Hasan counseled troubled troops.) It was repeatedly suggested that the horrors he had heard from his patients may have contributed to his taking such terrible action since the savagery of their stories could have eventually caused him to "snap" as his own deployment date neared.  It is plausible since it is known that PTSD affects not only troops subjected to battle conditions, but their families as well. Perhaps support staff  is impacted as well, since it was brought out yesterday that fewer people are available to provide needed services in our overburdened military.  
 
Even if PTSD didn't play a role in what happened yesterday, its existence is a grim reality that is possibly still being downplayed by a military leadership needing a steady supply of recruits to send to battle.  We hear that our armed forces are stretched to the breaking point with 3, 4 or more rotations back to war zones for troops who may not be psychologically or physically ready. What national nightmare are we creating by doing this? 

Incidents of atrocities committed by returning military, even against loved ones, are increasing. According to Army statistics, the Army suicide rate in 2008 surpassed that for civilians for the first time since the Vietnam War and is expected to increase. 

VA studies show that about one-third of our adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services and that nearly half of them suffer from mental illness plus close to 75% have substance abuse problems. Although there are fewer  homeless  women veterans, their numbers are increasing. The Natl. Coalition of Homeless Veterans reports that, as of 20006, in Arizona alone, there were nearly 4,000 homeless veterans and only 199 funded beds available.  Nationally, there were about 26 homeless veterans for each available bed. 

And this information doesn't even mention the ancillary services that are needed by our veterans and/or their families.  Or take into consideration the thousands killed or the tens of thousands injured because of  Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Or talk about the staggering financial burden to our country . . . and to all of us.

Perhaps yesterday's atrocity will force us to examine more closely the often overlooked "hidden" costs of war and cause us to question why we keep sending yet another generation of men and, now, women into battle. What is this accomplishing?  Not much good and a whole lot of bad, as far as I can see. Do we not learn from the past, such as Vietnam? 
 
Let's hope that something beneficial will come from the Ft. Hood tragedy so that those unfortunate victims did not lose their lives in vain. A start would be to stop sending more men and women to Afghanistan and to continue the troop withdrawal in Iraq!   

Nancy

Glenn Greenwald on Arar v. Ashcroft: "A court decision that reflects what type of country the U.S. is"

Nancy W recommends:  Glenn Greenwald's op ed published today in Salon, A court decision that reflects what type of country the U.S. is, which discusses Arar v. Ashcroft. 

Excerpt:

It's not often that an appellate court decision reflects so vividly what a country has become, but such is the case with yesterday's ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Arar v. Ashcroft (.pdf).  Maher Arar is both a Canadian and Syrian citizen of Syrian descent.  A telecommunications engineer and graduate of Montreal's McGill University, he has lived in Canada since he's 17 years old.  In 2002, he was returning home to Canada from vacation when, on a stopover at JFK Airport, he was (a) detained by U.S. officials, (b) accused of being a Terrorist, (c) held for two weeks incommunicado and without access to counsel while he was abusively interrogated, and then (d) was "rendered" -- despite his pleas that he would be tortured -- to Syria, to be interrogated and tortured.  He remained in Syria for the next 10 months under the most brutal and inhumane conditions imaginable, where he was repeatedly tortured.  Everyone acknowledges that Arar was never involved with Terrorism and was guilty of nothing.  ...

***

Yesterday, the Second Circuit -- by a vote of 7-4 -- ...held that even if the government violated Arar's Constitutional rights as well as statutes banning participation in torture, he still has no right to sue for what was done to him.  Why?  Because "providing a damages remedy against senior officials who implement an extraordinary rendition policy would enmesh the courts ineluctably in an assessment of the validity of the rationale of that policy and its implementation in this particular case, matters that directly affect significant diplomatic and national security concerns" (p. 39).  In other words, government officials are free to do anything they want in the national security context -- even violate the law and purposely cause someone to be tortured -- and courts should honor and defer to their actions by refusing to scrutinize them. 

Read the entire article here.

LD6 Chair Goes to Washington

Our own Bill Engler went to DC last week to visit with our representatives about health care.  Here is his report.

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Last week I went to Washington, DC to learn more about health care reform and how changes would impact on the seniors of our country.  I, along with about 50 other retirees, went to Capitol Hill to see our representatives. I faxed  letters to Senators McCain and Kyl and also to Representative Shadegg requesting a meeting over a week in advance requesting a meeting to discuss the subject. No office even acknowledged my request so I just showed up on their doorsteps. Each office apologized and indicated they did not see my letter. I was able to see an aide on the staff of Rep. Shadegg and Senator McCain. No one was available to meet with me from the staff of Senator Kyl. I was not able to change anyone’s position but dropped off material explaining my position.

A group of about 30 of us then went to Senator Reid’s office to try to convince him to hang tough on the issues rather than caving in down the road. He was not there but we made our position known to his staff. All in all it was a great experience. I gained a lot of knowledge on the whole health care debate and came away more than ever with the belief that we need to retire the 3 representatives mentioned above.

Bill Engler

Jack Harper Mock's Educators

Yeah, we wouldn't want citizens showing up at the Arizona Legislature actually caring about those education cuts.  Too bad Mr. Harper doesn't see how embarrasing (to himself) his remarks were and how insulting.

Shepard Smith Says His Email "Becoming More and More Frightening"

So, we most recently have Dr. Tiller murdered in church by a right-wing anti-abortion radical.  Now, a security guard is killed today in the Washington Holocaust Museum by a right-wing white supremacist.  I seem to recall that it wasn't very long ago here in Arizona, that a speed-camera employee was shot by, I'm guessing here, someone with rage issues and a fear of government. 

There seems to be a lot of "amped up" rage brewing out there.  And, it's kept alive by misinformation and the right-wing blogs and talk-show radio hosts.  Let's don't even get started about the "birthers," who continue to claim that Barack Obama was not born in the U.S. despite a boat-load of factual evidence to the contrary.  Yes, there was a 2008 presidential candidate who was not born in the U.S. -- but it was John McCain.  But, then this really has nothing to do with facts.

Looks like the Department of Homeland Security report, warning us about potentially violent right-wing radicals, was right (good thing Janet ignored those calls for her resignation).  Has everyone forgotten about Timothy McVey and Oklahoma City?  Terrorism and hate crimes are not limited to any particular ethnic background or religious affiliation and, thanks to media shills like Rush Limbaugh, rage and lack of facts are whipped up, sending the crazies off into violent action.

Andrei Cherny & Ann Wallack to Speak at this Thursday's LD6 Meeting

Andrei Cherney, who is running for AZ State Treasurer in 2010, will be the guest speaker at our LD 6 Meeting this Thursday, May 22 at 7:00.

Ann Wallack, Chair of our Maricopa County Democratic Party, will also speak at the meeting.

Join us!

When: Thursday, May 22, 2009, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Where: Mountain Sky Middle School Library, 16225 N 7th Ave, Phoenix AZ

AFL-CIO Legislative Alert, May 4, 2009

Welcome to the weekly legislative update brought to you from the Arizona AFL-CIO.  Your participation strengthens the union movement at the state legislature and beyond!  Your participation is needed – all affiliated are invited to join the weekly lobbyist meeting to collaborate efforts and plan strategies & tactics. The weekly meeting is every Friday @ 1:00 at IBEW Local 640 ~ 5808 N. 7th Street.  The next meeting will be Friday, May 8, 2009.

The Week Ahead
Once again we are hearing rumors that the budget may pass this week.  At this point what happens is a guessing game.  Last week they canceled the appropriations meeting ½ hour prior to the meeting.

Superior Court Judge Throws State Workers Under the Bus
A Superior Court Judge in Maricopa County this past week rejected a request by state workers to reverse a the massive layoffs in 2009 that were prompted by extreme budget cuts.

The judge argued that the severity of the cuts required agencies to conduct layoffs without going through the proper protocols of a five-day notice. Though the future of the case is now uncertain, representatives of the workers claim that no matter what it has made state agencies think twice about how they handle their employees

Poll Shows Most Arizonans Support Tax Increase
A new Cronkite/Eight poll released this week showed massive support for a temporary sales tax increase to balance the state budget. 60 percent of those surveyed said they would support an increase, versus 35 percent against. Five percent stated they had no opinion.

The poll also showed that Arizonans are deeply opposed to cuts to education and believe it is important to fully fund all-day kindergarten. Hopefully the Republican Leadership will take the hint and start pushing for a sensible budget that people want.  To read more about the poll go to http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/poll/2009/4-28-09.htm

We Do Have Options – They are as Easy as ABC
There is a broad group of community civic leaders to organize the Arizona Budget Coalition and the Arizona AFL-CIO has signed on. The coalition agrees, there are many options available to balance the budget without cuts to jobs, education, health, and human services. These alternatives include budget and revenue options as well as taxes that are fair.  The coalition is urging Governor Brewer and the legislature to balance the budget through a comprehensive approach so that Arizona can save jobs and build its future.  You will receive more information on the coalition shortly.  We must remember that the last budget cuts already went to far and now they are trying to cut an additional 3 billion dollars.  The is a better way to come up with a fair budget. 

The principals that coalition members agree to are: 
1. Transparent budget process
2. Restore massive cuts 
3. Do no further harm
4. Use all available options
5. Keep people working
6. Create a fair tax structure
7. Keep state revenue sharing

For More Information on the Coalition go to  http://www.arizonabudgetcoalition.org/

Hero's and Villains of the Week
Hero of the week is not in the legislature but he is a Hero indeed.  In a letter to Senator Tester, President Shirley wrote, "On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I write to clarify that not all tribes are opposed to passage of the EFCA.  As President of the Navajo Nation, I would like to inform you that the Navajo people, through our tribal council and leadership, not only support the EFCA, but years ago enacted similar legislation for Navajo Nation employees that grants automatic union certification upon proof of majority sign up.  Hopefully, with the passage of this Act, all American workers will be able to enjoy the type of fair and just choice of representation that certain Navajo Nation employees have today.  I sincerely hope that you will not only support the EFCA as written, but will provide the leadership needed in our party by becoming a co-signer.  Thank you President Shirley for consistently standing up for workers and not standing in the way of freedom to join a union. 

Once again Pamela Gorman is our Villain of the week.  In a press release Sen. Gorman stated, "I am outraged at members of the education community for their blatant deception and hypocrisy. They have launched huge attacks against cuts to education to balance the budget, while they hid the fact that they were sitting on hundreds of millions of your taxpayer dollars," declared Sen. Pamela Gorman, R-Anthem.  What she failed to mention is the $330 million is money expected to be in districts' regular "carryforwards" at the beginning of the next fiscal year. There's also $100 million of unspent money provided by the state for repairs and maintenance.  Some of the reserved money may be intended to pay bills early in the next fiscal year. Other money could be reserves set aside for emergencies or bound for debt payments, special utility projects and other allowed purposes.   Senator Gorman really should get her facts straight before getting so outraged is the education community. 

You Won't Believe They Said That
Pamela Gorman.  "We're faced with the reality that government has created a dependent class of people. That growing class has become accustomed to receiving ever increasing amounts of taxpayer dollars, regardless of the taxpayers' ability to pay.  The entitlement class is scared, motivated, and loud.  And, they have a lot of time on their hands while most of us are at work."  And who is this class of people she is referring to with a lot of time on their hands.  Maybe kids who are only in school 4 days out of the week rather than 5?  The unemployed looking for work, as if finding a job is not a full time job?  State workers or teachers who lost their jobs, the list goes on and on. 

To prove to you we are not making this stuff up, read her entire Op-Ed at http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/05/01/gorman_arizona_tax/

Here We Go Again, Budget Released then Pulled
Last Tuesday, House and Senate Republican leaders officially released a "Joint Draft Budget Proposal" that includes an overall reduction in K-12 public education funding of around $1 billion dollars. In addition, the proposal includes tax shifts and a permanent repeal of the $250 million school equalization tax.    

The Republican leadership has excluded the Democrats in the development of the budget proposal and it appears that more and more members of the Republican caucus are distancing themselves from this "cuts only" approach to the budget. In the meantime, Governor Brewer has shown very little leadership on the budget process and only  issuing a 5-point plan that includes an unspecified and temporary $1 billion tax increase to help balance Arizona's $3.4 billion budget deficit.  If Arizona is going to close the budget gap, we are going to need leadership and none seems to be emerging. 

Republican Lawmaker May Be Removed for Violating Clean Elections
Republican State Representative Doug Quelland is finding himself in a lot of hot water this week, as the Clean Elections Commission began looking in to whether or not to remove him from office for violating campaign finance laws. Quelland is accused of paying a consultant 15,000 dollars for campaign related activities.

Quelland claims that he hired the consultant for business related expenses, and that the only campaign activities he participated in were on a purely volunteer basis. Todd Lang, executive Director of the Clean Elections Commission called for immediate action and recommended removing Quelland from office or other sanctions.  The commission expressed their disappointment in all the "lying" that seemed to be going on in the case, and decided to postpone final judgment for a May 16th meeting.

The Republican Budget Proposal "Cheat Sheet" 
The Arizona Senate Democrats have created this helpful glossary so you can see what the Republican budget will really do to working families. Enjoy! (More can be found at AzSenateDemocrats.com

Annualization: Everything we cut in the last budget is going away forever. We have concluded that you did not really need it after all.

Inflator, Education 2 Percent: We are trying to make ourselves look good by giving $8 million to public schools. We hope you will not figure out that according to the law that you voted for, it should really be $110 million.

Lost Federal Funds: We do not even talk about this because we do not want you to know that by cutting state money from programs as we propose, the state also loses federal money. Our current budget will cause the following:
*30% increase in deadbeat parents who don't pay child support.
*8,000 older Arizonans forced out of their homes.
*10,000 fewer homeless shelter beds.
*9,000 abused women and children with no place to go.
*3,000 families unable to pay utility bills.
*Childcare assistance lost for an additional 30,000 families.

Lump Sum: This is where we hide cuts we do not want to tell you about in advance because we do not want to hear you whine about it.

Reduce Childcare Funding: Eliminate childcare assistance for 4,000 children and give up $33 million in federal stimulus money. Children will be left in unsafe situations and parents will lose jobs.

Reduce Children's Support Services: These services are supports for families involved in the CPS system and reunification services for families who have had a child removed from the home. More children will go into foster homes because 10,000 children will lose these in-home services.

Sweeps, University Tuition and Fee: Not only are we raising tuition; we are also sweeping $90 million in existing tuition and fee revenues, so you will have to pay higher fees and more for textbooks, too!

TANF Recipients: Children. Seventy-five percent of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families caseload is children.

TANF Recipients, Drug testing: We want to save money by testing your children for drugs.

Watch State Legislature In Action
Just a reminder, Cox Cable recently began broadcasting AZ CapitolTV from the Arizona Legislature on Channel 123.  This channel is a CSPAN style channel featuring events of the Arizona Legislature and other state programming of interest such as Statehood Day.  Also, the Arizona Legislature now has an online video archive.  View and hear live and archived hearings and meetings using the State of Arizona's live and video archive at http://azleg.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3

 

Link to this post online: http://www.azaflcio.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=125857&page=Legislative20Alerts21

Celebrate Obama's First 100 Days with AZDems - Thurs, April 30

Tickets:
$20 - General Admission
$15 - G.I.V.E. Members
$10 - ADC Members

Light Lunch included with Admission

**Space is limited** - Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 29th

Send RSVP's to rsvp@azdem.org

Rep. Kavanagh (R) Prioritizes University Athletes Over Low-income Students

This article was published in the Arizona Guardian and I first read it on Dana Kennedy's Facebook page.  This is a great example of an issues-based sway campaign that we can use in reaching out to disaffected Democrats and moderate Republicans here in Arizona.  It is just too incredible not to share:

Quote from Rep. Kavanagh. ..Arizona Guardian

As it stands, the state pays for its poorest students to attend college for free.
But that could change as state lawmakers consider charging many students, including those on need-based scholarships, a minimum of $1,000 a year.
The proposal is just one of hundreds being secretly considered by legislators as they attempt to shore up a $3 billion budget deficit.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Kavanagh [LD8] says lawmakers are looking at the option and that it's expected to save taxpayers as much as $10 million a year.
But the money, he says, isn't the only reason for the change.

"It's the principal of it," he said. "It's unfair. Why should these students get to go to school for free just because their families are poor?"

Kavanagh, who graduated from New York University in 1993, says students should be able to take out loans and pay them back once they graduate.
"Leaving with a four-year degree and with only $4,000 in loans sounds like a pretty good deal to me," Kavanagh said.

Students will appreciate their education more and take a greater sense of pride if they pay for their own degrees, Kavanagh said.

Republican legislators in the House and the Senate are considering the proposal, said Kavanagh, who has been involved in closed-door budget discussions in both chambers.
Instead of writing a bill, Republican leaders could tack the measure directly on to the budget. There are more than 200 various policy changes that could be enacted that way.
The current list of changes is unavailable as lawmakers have refused to make them public. For the past several weeks, GOP legislative leaders have been meeting with other lawmakers in small groups and individually to try to guage support for a GOP budget proposal.
Kavanagh says there's been little resistance among his Republican colleagues at the Capitol when he brings up changing what he describes as "Crow's policy" - a reference to Arizona State University President Michael Crow -- and an ASU practice of providing low-income students who qualify with free tuition.
He also added that the measure should make it into the final version of any budget deal. It's unknown when that deal will be completed.
Rep. David Schapira, who teaches at ASU, says the proposed changes could have negative consequences for poorer students.
"Why can't a person just pay off a $4,000 loan?" Schapira asked Kavanagh in an informal exchange on the House floor after most everyone had left one day last week. "Have you seen the job market?"
He also was worried about breaking a deal with students already attending school. He said it would be unfair to tell them now to "start coughing up some dough."
"If we do this, we'd be reneging on the deal we made with students," Schapira said.
It's unclear if the proposal would affect students already attending school or only incoming students. Kavanagh said lawmakers would not break any deals with curent students.
Right now, students coming from families making less than $40,000 a year are eligible for free tuition, Kavanagh said.
Terri Shafer, an ASU spokeswoman, said university officials would not have any comment on the proposal because they hadn't seen it. She also did not provide details on the number of students who might be affected if the proposal were to become law.
Under the GOP proposal, students with merit-based or athletic scholarships would not be asked to pay a minimum tuition. Veterans also would not be asked to meet a minimum tuition level.
Kavanagh said lawmakers recognize the value of athletics to the universities and their ability to raise money from alumni.

"Do you really want to see the ASU basketball team go to the bottom and lose all that revenue?" Kavanagh said.

Draft State Budget Proposes Huge Cuts in Education

The Arizona Guardian reports that the draft budget released by the AZ Legislature Monday evening, and provides a copy of the draft document here. 

According to the AZ Guardian, the proposed budget would slash nearly $600 Million from K-12 education. 

Forbes has more details here (for free).

Democratic Diva comments on the budget here.

News from the East - Spector a Dem! With Frankon, Dems will have 60 Votes

As a 20-year Pennsylvanian, I'll just say that I'm thrilled to hear that Arlen Spector is switching parties to become a Democrat!!  From the New York Times:

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania said on Tuesday he would switch to the Democratic party, presenting Democrats with a possible 60th vote and the power to break Senate filibusters as they try to advance the Obama administration’s new agenda.

In a statement issued about noon as the Capitol was digesting the stunning turn of events, Mr. Specter said he had concluded that his party had moved too far to the right, a fact demonstrated by the migration of 200,000 Pennsylvania Republicans to the Democratic Party.

“I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans,” Mr. Specter said, acknowledging that his decision was certain to disappoint colleagues and supporters.

If Al Franken prevails in his ongoing court case in Minnesota and Mr. Specter begins caucusing with Democrats, Democrats would have 60 votes and the ability to deny Republicans the chance to stall legislation. Mr. Specter was one of only three Republicans to support President Obama’s economic recovery legislation.

Action Alert: Join Hands for Public Education, Sunday, April 19

Join Hands for Public Education
Show public education is OUR priority!
Show the commitment of parents around our State for the promise of public education, and support making public education a State priority.
When: Sunday April 19 at 3 p.m.
Please come early so that we can all be in position right on time.
Where: Washington Park
6655 N 23rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015
Located two blocks east of I-17 on Glendale Avenue.  Enter and park via 23rd or 21st Avenue or Citrus Avenue on the south end of the park (map).
Who:  Everyone is welcome!!
Bring your little ones, your teenagers, your neighbors and your parents. Come picnic in the park before hand and enjoy the afternoon, or just come to hold hands at 3 pm.
PLEASE CARPOOL IF YOU CAN- think of the neighbors in the area!
The most important thing is for us to have A TON of people turn out this day, and be there to join hands at 3 pm sharp.
Print your own event flyers!
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE-
JOIN HANDS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION!

For more information contact Francesca Thomas, APPLE - Arizona Parents for PubLic Education
casathomas@cox.net or 602-522-0188

Tres de Mayo with Maricopa County Dems on May 3

The Maricopa County Democratic Party is hosting* a "Tres de Mayo" celebration on Sunday, May 3, 2009, from 5:30 to 8:00pm at "Tradiciones," located at 1602 E. Roosevelt Street, Phoenix 85006. 

The celebration will include a fiesta buffet, music, dancing, and a silent auction.

Cost:  $60 per person.  (Proceeds go to the Maricopa County Democratic Party)

RSVP here, or via email, or via phone: 602-298-0503.

*This event is co-hosted by the Foothill Democrats.

This Saturday: Local "Renew America's Economy" Canvass

April Yax, an LD6 Democrat PC, is hosting a Renew America's Economy Canvass this Saturday.

 

Join her!  Get out there and knock-on-doors and ask our neighbors to take a pledge of support for President Obama's bold approach to renew America’s economy and invest in energy, health care, and education.

 

Details: 

WHEN: 

Saturday, March 21 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

 

WHERE: 

Deer Valley Park

19602 N. 19th Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85027

 

FIND OUT MORE HERE.

Dissent in the Desert

Six Activists, A Mysterious Proposal, And Dem Party Mutiny in AZ

Saturday's Democratic State Committee meeting will be very interesting ...

Update 3/7/2009:  Returning back from the ADP meeting today, with the majority of the State Committee having re-elected Don Bivens as the State Party Chair, I'm happy that I also took the additional time after an exhausting day to drop in on the YDAz new leadership reception afterward.

I had the opportunity to speak with one of the mystery "six" who authored Building A Stronger Arizona Democratic Party -- A New Way Forward (a very committed and savvy Obama compaign activist).  The good news is, the ADP leadership is actively listening and engaging with the writers.  Time will tell if the common sense proposal is truly embraced by a reformed leadership.  I would challenge fellow Democratics and State Committee members to continue to hold our ADP leaders accountable.

Bob Lord Opts Out

Lord indicates he is NOT running for the Arizona Democratic Chair seat (voting to be held by the State Committee this Saturday) despite the movement to draft him.  In the mean time, Don Bivens is actively campaigning for re-election.  He says he "gets" it now ...  What do you think?

Brewer has, ummm, FEW answers ...

Listen to the response given by Gov. Brewer when asked about what small businesses can do to participate in Arizona's economic recovery on NPR in Phoenix, Arizona. Her response left much to be desired. In this video, Arizona residents read her response verbatim and question what she was attempting to say.